Refurb on hold as club must pay for repairs A BOWLING club beseiged by a spate of vandal attacks and thefts may have to put its refurbishment plans on hold.

Officials from Nuffield Bowling Club in Devonshire Road, Heaton, say funds raised to revamp the clubhouse will have to be used to cover the costs of damage caused by thugs, following the latest break-in when a large bench was stolen.

The bowling green and pavilion have been targeted several times in the past year by yobs who dig up the green, start fires and hurl abuse at older members.

Treasurer Jean Turton said: “They throw stuff on the green and shout abuse at us, they smash the windows. They are just mindless yobs.”

Members said the latest incident, which was reported in Saturday’s edition of The Bolton News, is “the last straw”

for the club.

A heavy bench was stolen from the green sometime between 4pm on August 13 and 11am on August 14.

Club members reported the incident to the police but it is not known how the thieves got the bench out.

The green is surrounded by high metal fencing at one side and a security fence with barbed wire on the other.

Secretary Peggy Webster said: “We had 16 benches a few years ago and now we only have three because they’ve been vandalised or stolen.

How they got this one out, I don’t know, unless they lifted it over the railings and came with a van.”

Mrs Turton said plans to revamp the pavilion and build new toilets are in jeopardy because the funding is being used to replace damaged and stolen property.

She said: “We need £23,000 for the toilets, for plumbing and rewiring, so we have been applying for grants. But now it has to go on all this.”

Recent incidents also include vandals digging up the green, attempting to break into the clubhouse and setting fire to a large conifer.

Club member David Grundy, aged 65, said: “What would these people do if it was one of their grandparents in the club?

It’s very disheartening because these people work very hard.”

The club has 88 private members, who range in age from 17 to 90.

Anyone with information should contact the local police community support officers on 0161 8565689, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.